Critics dismiss Thai referendum Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:53:39 -0000 A national referendum proposed by the Thai prime minister to end the political deadlock is dismissed as a stalling tactic. Envoys meet for North Korea talks Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:18:56 -0000 Envoys prepare to discuss deadlock over North Korea, amid initial moves by the country to reverse nuclear dismantling. New governor general in Australia Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:10:34 -0000 Quentin Bryce is sworn in as Australia's governor general, the first woman to serve as Queen Elizabeth's representative there. Russia tops Japan defence fears Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:12:50 -0000 Japan says the Russian military is becoming more active in areas close to its territory, in its annual defence white paper. Malaysia deploys navy to Somalia Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:50:16 -0000 Malaysia sends three navy ships to the coast of Somalia to protect merchant vessels from piracy. Global stock markets still jumpy Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:09:09 -0000 Fears about a global economic slowdown continue to weigh on stock markets, with Japan's main share index falling nearly 3%.
NYT > Asia Pacific
Bhutto Widower With Clouded Past Is Set to Lead Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:19:19 -0000 Asif Ali Zardari will start his tenure as Pakistan’s president burdened by unproven corruption allegations.
Plan Would Shift Forces From Iraq to Afghanistan Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:19:15 -0000 Pentagon leaders have recommended a modest shift of U.S. forces by early next year, officials said.
U.S. Letter Incites Push to Oust India Leader Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:02:46 -0000 Indian opposition parties say that a secret letter from the State Department shows that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lied about a controversial deal on nuclear power.
L.A. Times - Asia
Paralympic boon to China's disabled Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700 The Games for the physically impaired start Saturday in Beijing, but they already have left one group of Chinese citizens heartened.
Never mind the prospect of a swimmer competing in the butterfly who has only one leg, or a long jumper who is blind. To Zhou Rong, it was miracle enough when she saw a television report showing a disabled person in Beijing navigating a wheelchair onto a public bus.
Cellphone executive takes up a new calling Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Cyriac Roeding completes a 6-week world tour in which he traveled to such places as Nepal and Brazil to witness how people use their mobile devices.
Most people take a vacation to get away from their jobs. Cyriac Roeding took a vacation for his job.
U.S. may step up raids in Pakistan Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700 Despite growing protests in Pakistan over a raid, many Pentagon officials favor a more aggressive approach to counter attacks in Afghanistan carried out by militants based in Pakistan.
Even as angry protests spread in Pakistan, Pentagon officials said Thursday that the number of cross-border commando missions may grow in coming months to counter increasing violence in Afghanistan.
UN News Centre - Asia Pacific
UN envoy briefs General Assembly President on Myanmar visit Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 United Nations Special Advisor Ibrahim Gambari has briefed the President of the General Assembly on his recent visit to Myanmar, during which he held talks with a range of people on issues such as national reconciliation and how to help the South-East Asian nation tackle its socio-economic challenges. Cambodian women with HIV receive boost from fashion designer and UN agency Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), renowned fashion designer Bibi Russell and Cambodian women living with HIV have joined forces to launch a new line of contemporary bags. Sri Lankan rice production wins support from UN-backed project Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500 The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced plans today to boost rice production in districts of Sri Lanka hit hard by recent floods or conflict and by the soaring cost of many basic foods.
Asia - Pacific - International Herald Tribune
Air of corruption dogs Pakistani leader By JANE PERLEZ Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000 Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, is set to become president Saturday, an accidental ascent for a man known more as a wheeler-dealer than a leader. Pakistan restores 3 judges ousted by Musharraf Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:50:16 -0000 Pakistan's law minister says three Supreme Court judges ousted by ex-President Pervez Musharraf have returned to the bench, but not the deposed chief justice. U.S. plan would shift troops from Iraq to Afghanistan By MICHAEL R. GORDON AND THOM SHANKER Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000 Pentagon leaders have recommended a modest shift of U.S. forces by early next year, officials said. In Japan, a ghost town becomes a boom town By NORIMITSU ONISHI Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000 The designation of a Japanese silver mine as a World Heritage site has sparked debate over the value of the Unesco label and whether it can do more harm than good in preservation. China hints at building defects in quake study By EDWARD WONG Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000 A government committee said Thursday that a rush to build schools might have led to shoddy construction that resulted in the deaths of thousands of students during a devastating earthquake in May. Air strike kills seven in west Afghanistan Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:36:17 -0000 Seven people, including two children, were killed in an air strike in western Afghanistan on Friday that was aimed at the house of a Taliban commander, a district official said.
BBC News - Country Profile: Tajikistan - Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news.
Meta Description: [ Key facts, figures and dates ]
CIA - The World Factbook: Tajikistan - Features map and brief descriptions of the geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues.
Eurasianet - Informative pages on Tajikistan, links.
Meta Description: [ News about
political, economic, environmental and social developments in Tajikistan and the countries
of Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as Afghanistan, Russia, the Middle East
and Southwest Asia. ]
EUROPA - The EU's Relations with Tajikistan - Report on economic and trade relations in the political and economic context. Includes response strategy and co-operation along with background information.
Meta Description: [ The EU's relations with Tajikistan - Overview ]
NationMaster - Tajikistan - Profile includes information for various aspects of the country, with a special emphasis on statistics and rankings.
Meta Description: [ Statistics on Tajikistan. 953 facts and figures, stats and information on Tajikistani economy, crime, people, government, health and education. 11 maps and 13 flags ]
UK Foreign Office - Country Profiles: Tajikistan - Overview of country's geography, history, politics, economy, international relations, travel and current affairs.
Meta Description: [ Country Profiles have been prepared by FCO desk officers and aim to provide a general overview of the country concerned. ]
US Department of State - Tajikistan - Country portal offers a map and links to Background Notes, Country Study, the US embassy and the current ambassador, press releases, fact sheets, annual Human Rights Reports and other major reports including Industry Market Reports.
Meta Description: [ Tajikistan ]
US Library of Congress - Portals to the World: Tajikistan - Annotated directory of selected online resources.
Meta Description: [ Selected Internet Resources: Tajikistan. Portals to the World contain selective
links providing authoritative, in-depth information about the nations and other areas of the world. They are
arranged by country or area with the links for each sorted into a wide range of broad categories. The link... ]
Tokyo too offer TV screens on trains. The directory system appear advance with the internationalized and detailed guides...